Ganga Ma: A Pilgrimage to the Source.

By Pepe Ozan & Melitta Tchaicovsky

Following the holiest pilgrimage of the Hindus from the mouth of the Ganges River to its source in the Himalayan glaciers, this 58’ art-documentary shows with stunning images a vivid and insightful vision of India, in a journey of spiritual introspection.

Shot in DVCAM, this testimony of the beauty of India presents festivals, funeral ceremonies, art, rituals, architecture and the daily life of the ancient Hindu culture thriving along the banks of the river. The funeral of the last Maharaja of Benares, the Kumba Mela – the largest gathering of people in the world – and the Himalayas, are shown in an intense and engaging narrative of visuals and music. The images, aided by spontaneous statements of holy and ordinary men, address issues of death, purpose, beliefs, peace and human values in an inviting meditative space. In blatant contrast to the present times of unrest, Ganga Ma inspiring message reaches the audience with a timely, deep and joyful approach to a different reality.

Druhpad singers, Bhajan singers, temple prayers and sadhus performers from the streets along the Ganges and musicians were brought from the Hindu University of Benares to be recorded by Marc Liebeskind in his mobile studio installed in a hotel in Kedhar Ghat in Varanasi.The natural sounds from the surrounding local, the festive events and the enchanting classical compositions from the School of Benares, performed specially for the sound track, merge with the astounding visuals to take the viewer through a feast of beauty.